REVIEW · TANAH LOT AND THE BALI WATER TEMPLES
Ubud Sightseeing, Holy Water Temple & Waterfall
Ubud is a great place to pack a lot in. This private tour with Agus Indrawan lets you hit Tegenungan Waterfall and Tirta Empul Temple in one day, plus you get coffee farm photo time with a jungle swing. What I love most is the pickup convenience from your Ubud accommodation and the easy photo stops that feel well paced for a 5 to 7 hour day. The main drawback to plan for is that entrance fees and lunch are not included, so your total cost can creep up once you add tickets.
I also like how the day is designed around variety. You start with an artisan art stop, then move through nature and ritual cleansing, then land back on Ubud’s iconic countryside scenes at places like Tegalalang Rice Terrace. That mix makes the itinerary feel like more than just a checklist.
One more thing to consider: it is still a full day. With several stops at around one hour each, you will need to decide ahead of time what matters most to you, so you can enjoy each place instead of rushing to the next one.
In This Review
- Key points before you go
- How this Ubud route makes your day feel efficient
- Pickup, private transport, and timing that keeps things moving
- Stop 1: Dewa Putu Toris artisan painting and Ubud craft culture
- Stop 2: Tegenungan Waterfall for big views and photo time
- Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the ritual cleansing atmosphere
- Stop 4: Kumulilir coffee and tea tasting, plus the jungle swing photos
- Stop 5: Tegalalang Rice Terrace for classic Ubud scenery and angles
- Stop 6: Returning to Ubud and letting the day settle
- Price and what you really get for $40
- What makes this tour stand out, based on real value signals
- Who should book this (and who might not)
- Should you book this Ubud sightseeing tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Ubud sightseeing tour?
- What does the $40.00 price include?
- Are entrance fees included?
- Is lunch included?
- What time does the tour start?
- Is this a private tour, and what if I book alone?
Key points before you go

- Private driver in your corner: Pickup and drop-off from Ubud means less hassle and more time at stops
- Photo-friendly coffee farm: A jungle swing gives you a fun, scenic break
- Temple and waterfall in one route: Tirta Empul and Tegenungan Waterfall make for a strong culture + nature pairing
- Tegalalang rice terrace time: Plan to linger for angles and light on the terraces
- Flexible route tweaks: You can customize a bit based on what you want most
More full days built around Ubud, compared
How this Ubud route makes your day feel efficient

If you want the classic highlights of Ubud without turning your trip into a transportation puzzle, this works. You get a private driver, mineral water, and included pickup and drop-off from your Ubud lodging area. That setup matters because the biggest time drain in Bali is often getting in and out of traffic, not the sightseeing itself.
I also like that the route has clear emotional beats. You do something scenic at Tegenungan Waterfall, then shift to ritual at Tirta Empul Temple, then swap to hands-on and taste-focused at a coffee and tea stop, and finish with the iconic rice terrace view. Each stop changes the mood, so the day doesn’t blur together.
The price, $40.00 per person, can feel fair because you are paying for time and convenience, not just access to one location. Once you add in that it is private and includes pickup and drop-off, it can be good value, especially if you are traveling as a small group. Still, you should budget for entrance fees at each site, since they are not included.
Pickup, private transport, and timing that keeps things moving

You start in the 07:00 to 08:00 window, and the day runs about 5 to 7 hours. For most people, starting in the morning is the difference between enjoying the sites calmly and constantly checking your watch. You will also feel less pressure during the waterfall and terrace stops, where you naturally want a few extra minutes for photos.
Because it is private, you should be able to control your pace. If you care more about photography at Tegalalang, you can lean into that. If Tirta Empul is the priority, you can spend your extra time there. One of the best parts is that the route can be customized a little, so your day fits your interests instead of feeling like a rigid script.
A small practical note: entrance fees are not included. Bring cash or be ready to pay on site where required, and keep that in mind when comparing this tour to the price of DIY transport.
Stop 1: Dewa Putu Toris artisan painting and Ubud craft culture

The first stop is Dewa Putu Toris, an artisan art painting visit. You spend about an hour here, and admission is not included.
This kind of stop is worth doing if you want more than scenery. Bali art is not just decoration, it is tied to everyday life and local identity, and Ubud is one of the places where that is easiest to understand. Even if you are not shopping heavily, watching how art is produced can give you a better lens for what you see later around town.
The upside is time efficiency. One hour is long enough to see the process and ask questions, but short enough that it doesn’t steal the whole day. The main consideration is that it may not be your cup of tea if you are not interested in art demonstrations or buying. If you are mainly chasing nature and temples, you can treat this as a quick cultural warm-up and focus your energy on the later stops.
Stop 2: Tegenungan Waterfall for big views and photo time

Next comes Tegenungan Waterfall, about one hour on site, with admission not included.
Tegenungan is the kind of place where your phone camera turns into a planning tool. The falls give you instant composition options: wide shots of the water, angles that frame you with greenery, and portrait-style pictures that make the waterfall feel like the main character. If you want that iconic Bali waterfall look, this is one of the stops built for it.
Because it is still a short stop, you will want to show up ready. Wear comfortable shoes that can handle uneven ground, and think about how you want your photo sequence to go before you start walking too far from the main areas. If you want fewer photos and more relaxing, that is fine too, but plan to commit to the direction you want to take within that hour.
A drawback to consider is that you are on a schedule. You will not have a full half day to explore nearby viewpoints. If you love waterfalls and want maximum time, this may feel a bit quick. But if you want a waterfall moment plus temples and terraces, the trade-off makes sense.
More temple visits around the coast and the lakes
- Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey★ 5.0 · 3,620 reviews
- Half-Day Ubud Electric Cycling Tour to Tirta Empul Water Temple★ 5.0 · 315 reviews
- Melukat Ceremony and Temple Tour at Tirta Empul Temple★ 5.0 · 218 reviews
- Skip the Line Tirta Empul Temple Entrance Ticket All Inclusive★ 5.0 · 198 reviews
- Private Tour: Ubud and Tanah Lot Day Tour★ 5.0 · 126 reviews
Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and the ritual cleansing atmosphere

After the waterfall, you shift to Tirta Empul Temple in Tampak Siring village. This stop runs about one hour, and admission is not included.
This is the cultural anchor of the day. Tirta Empul is known as one of the most ritual cleansing temples, and being there changes your pace. Instead of chasing views, you are watching people participate in a ritual setting. Even if you do not understand every detail, you can still feel the difference in how the space is used.
I like how this stop balances the day. A waterfall is loud and dramatic. A temple like Tirta Empul is more about attention, quiet observation, and respect for what people are doing. If you are the type who likes to learn by watching and asking questions through your driver or guide, this part tends to land well.
One consideration: temple rules usually affect what you can wear and where you can stand. Since the tour info doesn’t spell out dress specifics, I recommend you plan for modest, comfortable clothing and follow guidance from staff on site.
Stop 4: Kumulilir coffee and tea tasting, plus the jungle swing photos
Now you get a sensory break at Kumulilir, about one hour, again with admission not included.
This is where the tour turns fun and casual. The focus is on tasting coffee and tea, and the overview also highlights a coffee farm setting with a jungle swing. That swing matters because it gives you more than a drink stop. It is an actual photo moment that feels like you are in the scenery, not just taking a quick cup-and-walk break.
If you like food experiences, you will enjoy this stop. If you are not into tasting, treat it like a short pause to recharge, hydrate, and reset your energy before you head to Tegalalang.
The practical consideration is that your preferences matter here. If coffee and tea tasting is not your thing, you might find you want to spend a little less time. Since your driver can help customize a little, you can often work out what makes sense for you, like focusing on a quick tasting and then moving on for photos.
Stop 5: Tegalalang Rice Terrace for classic Ubud scenery and angles

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is next, about one hour, with admission not included.
This is Ubud’s signature countryside view. The terraces give you layered visuals, so every step forward changes the frame. It is the kind of place where light and height matter. If you want photos that look more dramatic, you often need to find higher viewpoints or align your shot so the terraces lead into the distance.
In a one-hour window, you should aim for a simple photo plan. Pick one main viewpoint, then decide on a second spot if you still have energy. Otherwise, you can end up walking more than you need to, trying to perfect every shot.
The main drawback here is crowd control. On busy days, it can feel like you are sharing space. But with a private driver and a one-hour schedule, you can still manage it. Go in with patience and focus on your best angles first, since that is what will make the terrace look memorable.
Stop 6: Returning to Ubud and letting the day settle
The itinerary wraps with time back around Ubud, with a one-hour block listed for the final stop. It ends back at the meeting point, so you should expect to return to your pickup area in Ubud.
This final stretch is useful because it gives you a decompression period. After temples, a waterfall, and terraces, you likely want time to cool down, grab a snack, or simply enjoy a quiet evening. Since lunch is not included, plan to eat afterward. This also helps you avoid forcing a meal during a stop when your energy might be better spent photographing or exploring.
Price and what you really get for $40
At $40.00 per person, this tour is mainly priced for the private transport and the convenience of pickup and drop-off from the Ubud area. Mineral water is included, and you get a mobile ticket, which usually means less time at check-in points.
Entrance fees are not included, and lunch is not included either. That is the biggest factor in your real total cost. So when you compare this to other options, think like this: you are paying for the driver, the route, and the time saved, and then you pay site tickets separately.
There is also a note that out of the Ubud area costs extra, listed as $10 per car. If you are staying near the edge of the pickup area, it is worth confirming that your lodging is considered in-area so you do not get surprised later.
If you are traveling as a single person, the tour notes mention finding someone to join, otherwise there is an extra charge of 250K. That means your cost may be higher than the base per person price depending on how your booking is handled.
What makes this tour stand out, based on real value signals
Even without getting lost in details, the strongest signals here are consistent: a perfect blend of sights, a private guide approach, and flexibility. The day is built around Ubud staples that many visitors want, but it is not only that. The tour also has a craft stop, a coffee and tea tasting break, and a jungle swing photo moment, so you are not stuck in the usual routine of only temples and views.
The other high praise angle is the guide experience. Your day can be better when your driver or guide takes time to explain what you are seeing, not just drive you to the next stop. Agus Indrawan is listed as the experience provider, and the way people talk about the day tends to focus on learning through conversation, plus the fact that the route can be adjusted a little.
For you, that usually means two things:
- You spend less time confused about what to focus on.
- You can shift priorities if your mood changes during the day.
Who should book this (and who might not)
This is a great fit if you want:
- A private driver to handle logistics
- One-day coverage of Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- A day that includes both photos and cultural stops
- A short, practical tour length that fits 07:00 to 08:00 start times
It may not be ideal if you:
- Want to spend half the day at just one site
- Do not care about temples or art stops at all
- Hate paying separate entrance fees and want everything bundled
If you are traveling as a couple, friends, or family, the cost often feels easier to justify because you share the private-vehicle value.
Should you book this Ubud sightseeing tour?
I think you should book it if your goal is to see major Ubud highlights with minimal hassle and you enjoy a mix of nature, temples, and culture. The private setup plus hotel pickup helps you stay relaxed, and the stops are chosen to give you both scenic photos and meaningful cultural context.
If you do book, do it with two expectations clearly in mind: entrance fees and lunch are on you, and the day moves through several locations on a tight schedule. When you plan around that, the $40.00 per person price starts to make sense, because you are paying for convenience and an efficient route, not a bundle of everything.
FAQ
How long is the Ubud sightseeing tour?
It runs about 5 to 7 hours, depending on timing to complete the destinations.
What does the $40.00 price include?
Pickup and drop-off within the Ubud area are included, the tour is private, and mineral water supply is included. A mobile ticket is used.
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees are not included for the stops.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
What time does the tour start?
Start time is between 07:00 am and 08:00 am, based on completing all destinations in the day.
Is this a private tour, and what if I book alone?
It is a private tour, only your group participates. If you book only one person, the tour notes say you should find someone to join; otherwise, there may be an extra charge of 250K.
Temples on Water, More to Visit
Ubud in a Day, Three More Versions
Fresh Ubud write-ups from the review desk
Tanah Lot and the Bali Water Temples, compared.
★ 5.0Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water TempleFrom $317,160 reviews
★ 5.0Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic JourneyFrom $1003,620 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Tour to Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces in BaliFrom $392,539 reviews
★ 5.0Monkey Forest, Water Temple, Rice Terrace, WaterfallFrom $28538 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Ubud Electric Cycling Tour to Tirta Empul Water TempleFrom $49315 reviews
★ 5.0Tanah Lot Tour with Ubud Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, and WaterfallsFrom $67273 reviews
★ 5.0Beratan , lake side temple tour , all inclusiveFrom $85261 reviews
★ 4.2Tanah Lot Temple Sunset Kecak & Fire Dance Show TicketFrom $6242 reviews
Browse the lists this tour appears in










